10-Aug-2019 Newmarket (Suffolk), UK (England)

The Stour Valley Path is a 100km (62 mile) long footpath in England, which starts in Newmarket (Suffolk) and ends in Cattawade, a village near Manningtree (Essex).

The SVP100 covers almost the entire length of the well marked trail, and is one of the longest point to point races in East Anglia. The path is particularly notable for the beauty of the scenery en route.

The landscape on the Essex-Suffolk border was made famous by painters such as John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough.

The SVP100 is easily accessible from East Anglia, London, East Midlands and Stansted airport, and is worth 4 UTMB points.

Event Organiser

SVP100

Beginner

Suitable for: First ultra runners completing a marathon or doing regular long distance running in the last six months.

Intermediate

Elevation: Increase of up to 1000 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed at least one ultra distance race (or similar event) or are doing long distance running (>26 miles) regularly, with elevation shown.

Advanced

Elevation: Increase of up to 1500 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed several ultra distances or similar events, or are doing long distance running regularly, with elevation shown.

Expert

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with some challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity or heat) and or technical terrain

Suitable for: Experienced runners who have completed at least regular ultra distances in last 12 months, or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races may be subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements.

Brutal

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with very challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity, heat or at high altitude) and or technical terrain.

Suitable for: Very experienced long distance ultra runners (min 3 years’ experience) or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races is often subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Purchase of specialist kit is often recommended for these races.

Endurance - Multi-activity

Type: An ultra distance race including at least two of the following activities such as running, swimming, cycling, kayaking, skiing and climbing. It may also include different climatic conditions (eg ice, snow, humidity, cold water, mud or heat).

Suitable for: Experienced multi-skilled athletes who have trained for the different activities included in this event. Admission to these races may be subject to receipt of a recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements and any specialist equipment required such as a wetsuit, skis or a mountain bike.

Global - Virtual

Type: A virtual race which can be run at any time shown on the dates shown, on any type of terrain in any country.

Suitable for: For runners from beginners to experienced as you choose your own course and challenge based on the guidelines and options set by the virtual race organiser.

Review SVP100 - Stour Valley Path 100km Ultra Run

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Jana

08:55 19-08-18

The SVP100 is a challenging, beautiful and greatly organized race. The information provided on the web page is excellent. I loved the frequent updates before and after the run. That makes you feel that you are really welcome as a runner and that the RD and his team enjoy the event at least as much as you do. The check point staff was also fantastic. Being runners themselves, they seemed to know what you need even before you knew it :-) A huge thanks to the whole team. I recommend this race to everybody wishing to master a 100k ultra on hilly trails in a stunning countryside.

tommylankester

05:48 13-08-18

I took part in the newly run SVP 50k Ultra. This was my first ever marathon distance or Ultra distance and if they are all run as well as this then I will be in for a treat. The organisation from the start was fantastic and the volunteers all doing there part brilliantly. The real heroes for me were the volunteers at the checkpoints, I barely knew what I wanted but they appeared to every time. Taking my bottles to refill them so I could concentrate on refuelling, thank you and I will be back again next year.

Kelou

09:04 22-08-17

SVP100 is a friendly, well marked ultra across varied terrain boasting stunning views and a tranquil vibe. Checkpoints are well stocked and manned by local running clubs so the support from start to finish is fantastic. I loved every minute of this race and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Chinesebadger

11:44 21-08-17

Ran this in 2015. I enjoyed it so much I came back and volunteered in 2017. Fantastic event. Great route. Challenging and enjoyable from start to finish. Amazing support from checkpoints and fellow runners. A very special event.

johnstoneman

07:57 16-08-17

I am a bug fan of this race having done it in 2016 and 2017 and I will be back aiming to win the black T-Shirt in 2018. Beautiful, challenging course through some exquisite countryside. Excellent checkpoints staffed by local running clubs that seem to try to outdo one another. The glow sticks for the dark sections were better in 2016 than 2017 but that's a minor quibble.

Sinead

05:53 18-08-16

A lovely race and fantastic support all the way round. I think it's the best race I've ever done- certainly a great first 100k. The only real downside is there was no transport to get people back to cars at the start so if you're one of the slower runners (like me) and have no crew you're faced with a problem. But it's a brilliantly supported event with a very friendly atmosphere. Well done & thank you to the organisers & all the local running clubs involved.Not sure if I've highlighted the stars but if it's gone wrong I mean 4.5 out of 5!

Gemmacolling86

01:15 18-08-16

13-8-16

Great event, from start to finish this was a great day organised by a lovely young chap Matt, super check points awesome views along the course, they'll even give you a lift to the local train station when you finish. This should be on everyone's bucket list

RunHammyRun

10:59 14-08-16

A superb ultra marathon through beautiful countryside the SVP100 provides something for everybody. Often ultra runners are too quick to step up to the holy grail of a 100 miles and forget that there really are some cracking 100km events out there and this is one of them. Whether you choose to use this as your 'Big Race' for the year or as a 'stepping stone' for those longer ultras it will provide a challenge .95% on trail, the course winds it's way from Newmarket to Manningtree with 7 aid stations along the route for tired and hungry runners to refuel and rehydrate. The event goes in two waves with the slower runners starting at 7am and then the speedier ones going for the prizes at 9am. This works really well I find and ensures that you see plenty of fellow competitors throughout the day.The surfaces are varied as you'd expect from a trail race, including fields, paths, hills, with a fair share of nettles and brambles to keep it interesting and livestock to negotiate as well.The route is excellent however I would strongly recommend either using GPS or ensure that you are a decent map reader. The wonderful volunteers at SVP do try their best to mark out the route and their are the waymarker signs to help you, but there are a few tricky places where it is possible to get lost if you aren't paying attention to the arrows spray painted on the floor.Other than this the event runs smoothly from start to finish, and the atmosphere is fantastic. It is also spectator friendly with access to all the aid stations as well as several villages and pubs on route that supporters could stop at. All in all if you are considering running a 100km event then I suggest giving this one a go... you won't regret it!

Trininick

08:09 27-08-15

As a novice Ultra runner I entered the SVP 100 2015 event with much intrepidation and self doubt in my ability. The actual distance was 63.7 miles. There were 143 runners on the day and I managed to place 110th and was actually the last person to cross the line in 15 hrs and 24 minutes, just 6 minutes inside the cut off time. The event seems surprisingly low key but well organised in an understated sort of way. Due to the low numbers involved,its very friendly and personable, with competitors slowing down and helping those in need if required. In retrospect what I liked about it was that even for someone like myself averaging 4.2 mph (including pit stops) the reality is that to finish this event in time you actually have to keep running (albeit a shuffle).I hadn`t expected this and it certainly wasn`t in my original game plan! My only slight criticism is that the way markings enroute could at times have been better, time is critical and valuable minutes spent deciphering which way to go is costly..., although in fairness one could see that efforts were made to do this. All in all a good event and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to take their ultra challenge to the next level.

mikew30

01:52 19-08-15

A new favourite ultra!

A really excellent event. Lovely route, very well organised, with some of the best cake-filled checkpoints and friendliest marshals, I've ever had the pleasure to come across.

Having never run a step of the SVP100 route before race day, or run any "southern" race, I was a little unsure what to expect, but the route (surprisingly scenic), organisation, and friendly runners made this instantly jump to right near the top of my favourite ultra events.

Many congrats to Matthew Hearne and his brilliant team of volunteers, I will be back I'm sure.